West Brom sack Anelka following 'gross misconduct' in recent weeks... hours after striker tweets that he will tear up contract

West Brom have announced they have sacked striker Nicolas Anelka, citing 'gross misconduct'.

Anelka himself declared on Twitter hours earlier that he had decided to terminate his contract with Albion, a day after it was confirmed neither he nor the Football Association would contest the five-match ban he was handed for his 'quenelle' goal celebration in December.

West Brom responded by issuing a statement themselves, in which they stressed they had yet to receive any formal notification from Anelka or his advisors.

Sacked: Nicolas Anelka had been supported by West Brom after his 'quenelle' gesture (above) but has now had his contract terminated

Fresh start: Anelka revealed earlier in the day via Social Media that he was terminating his contract

Friend: The gesture is linked to Anelka's friend, the controversial French comedian Dieudonne Mbala Mbala

And they subsequently released another
statement on Friday night, which said: 'Nicolas Anelka's purported
termination of his Premier League contract this evening via social media
was invalid as this was not conducted under the correct legal process
as required by his contract.

'The
club considers the conduct of Nicolas Anelka on December 28, coupled
with his purported termination on social media this evening, to be gross
misconduct.

'As a result
the club has tonight written to Nicolas Anelka giving him 14 days'
notice of termination as required under his contract.'

Anelka was placed under a club suspension by West Brom after his five-match ban was imposed, pending the conclusion of an internal inquiry.

Harsher: The FA argued for a more severe sanction than the five-match ban

Ban: Belgian futsal player Omar Rahou received a 10 match ban for the same gesture

In his announcement on Twitter, the
former France international, who turned 35 on Friday, said he was
quitting the Baggies due to the unacceptable conditions they were
proposing.

He said: 'Following talks between the club and me,
propositions were made to me in order to reintegrate me into the squad
under certain conditions that I cannot accept.

'Wishing to retain my
integrity, I have therefore taken the decision to free myself and put an
end to the contract linking me with West Bromwich Albion to 2014, with
immediate effect.'

And Albion made reference to this in their second
statement on Friday, saying: 'The club notes Nicolas Anelka is unwilling
to agree to the conditions set by it which may have enabled his
suspension to be lifted and for him to resume training.

'These
conditions were, firstly, that the club required Nicolas Anelka to
apologise to it, its supporters, sponsors and the wider community for
the impact and consequences of his gesture made on December 28 and
secondly, that he accept a substantial fine.'

Comparison: The panel looked at the Luis Suarez-Patrice Evra and John Terry-Anton Ferdinand cases when coming to their decision

THE FULL FA EXPLANATION ON ANELKA

An Independent Regulatory Commission found an aggravated breach of FA Rule E3 against Nicolas Anelka proven and issued a five-match suspension and a fine of £80,000, pending appeal.

The West Bromwich Albion player was ordered to complete a compulsory education course.

The Independent Regulatory Commission will provide written reasons for its decision in due course.

Mr Anelka had the right to appeal the decision. Mr Anelka must notify The FA of his intention to appeal within seven days of receipt of the written reasons.

The penalty is suspended until after the outcome of any appeal, or the time for appealing expires, or Mr Anelka notifies The FA of his decision not to appeal.

Independent Regulatory Commission – summary of decision

1. This is a written statement of the decision of The FA Regulatory Commission (chaired by independent Counsel Christopher Quinlan QC, Thura KT Win, Peter Powell) that sat on 25 and 26 February 2014 to consider charges brought against the player Nicolas Anelka (FA Disciplinary Regulation 9.1).

2. Arising out of his conduct during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United FC and West Bromwich Albion FC on 28 December 2013 he was charged as follows:

a. In or around the 40th minute of the match he made a gesture (known as the ‘quenelle’) which was abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting and/or improper, contrary to FA Rule E3(1); andb. That the misconduct was an "Aggravated Breach" as defined by FA Rule E3(2) in that it included a reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion or belief.

3. He denied both charges.

4. The Regulatory Commission heard from the player, two expert witnesses and submissions from Leading Counsel for The FA and Nicolas Anelka.

5. Charge 1 - the Regulatory Commission found this Charge proved.

6. Charge 2 -a. The Regulatory Commission found this Charge provedb. So far as the basis for our finding on Charge 2 is concerned, we did not find that Nicolas Anelka is an Anti-Semite or that he intended to express or promote Anti-Semitism by his use of the quenelle.

7. Sanction: having considered further submissions from Leading Counsel for The FA and Nicolas Anelka, the Regulatory Commission imposeda. An immediate playing suspension from all club football until such time as West Bromwich Albion first team has completed five matchesb. Fined him £80,000c. He will pay the costs of the hearing in full.

8. In consequence of the finding on Charge 2, the player will be subject to an education programme, the details of which will be provided to him by The FA (FA Rule 3(7)).

9. There is a right of appeal against this decision in accordance with FA regulations. Written reasons within the meaning of FA Disciplinary Regulation 9.3 will follow within seven days of the date of this written statement.

10. We order a stay of the five-match suspension pursuant to Regulation 8.11 of the Disciplinary Regulations until:a. The expiry of seven-day period from receipt of our written reasons in which Mr Anelka has right of appeal against this decision, if no appeal is lodged during that period, orb. Written notification to The FA of any decision by Mr Anelka not to appeal, if served prior to the expiry of period for appealing, orc. The outcome of any appeal lodged by Mr Anelka against this decision, if an appeal is lodged during the period for appealing.